Tiltable table



Aug. 25, 1959 A. J. KIZAURV TILTABLE TABLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 3, 1956 II\.IVENTOR.'-'- ARTHUR J. KIZAUR BY.-

ATTOR NEY Aug. 25, 1959 A. J. KIZAUR TILTABLE TABLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 3, 1956 INVENTO R!" ARTHUR J. KIZAUR ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1959 A. J. KIZAUR 2,901,302

TILTABLE TABLE Filed July s, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet a FIG.5

INVENTOR7- ARTHUR J. KIZAUR BY:-

ATTORNEY 1959 A. J. KIZAUR 2,901,302

TILTABLE TABLE Filed July 3, 1956 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.'-

ARTHUR J. KIZAUR BY:--

ATTORNEY T ILTABLE TABLE Arthur I. 'Kizaur, Brookfield, Wis, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application July 3, 1956, Serial No. 595,773

9 Claims. (Cl. 311-.6)

The present invention relates in general to support Structures, and has more particular reference to a tilting table of a sort adapted for use in supporting an object, such as a human body, selectively in vertical, horizontal and angularly inclined positions, such table being especially well suited for use in connection with X-ray phoitography and fluoroscopic examination .of human beings, and also in connection with the application of X-ray Ztherapy.

An important object of .the present invention is to provide an improved, lightweight, yet rigid table structure embodying pressed sheet metal components, adapted for manufacture at exceedingly low cost; a further object being to provide support means for carrying the table in any desired tilted position within the operating range of the structure; a further object being to provide support means adjustable to carry the table .in horizontal and vertical positions as well as in any desired angularly tilted position between horizontal and vertical; a still further object being to provide for tilting the .table from hori- :zontal to vertical position, in at least one direction, and ifor depressing the table in the opposite direction below Ehorizontal position to any desired extent within a sub- :stantial angle of tilt of the .order .of fifteen degrees .or :rnore.

Another important object is to provide a table struc- United States Patent iture of the character mentioned, comprising a frame *embodying a plurality of formed sheet metal members, :as of steel, assembled and secured together, as :by weldiing, in order to form an exceedingly rigid, yet relatively T lightweight table structure; a further object being to form ?the structure as a box-like frame, including a pair of ice.

chain, having portions secured on the upport base and drivingly connected with motive means mounted on the frame, whereby to drivingly turn the frame on the support base and to secure the same thereon in any desired angularly adjusted position; a further object being to form the frame with an arcuately curved wall portion and to mount the track thereon; a further object being to provide for drivingly connecting the flexible driving member with motive means mounted on the table frame, as within the space enclosed by the arcuately curved Wall portion thereof; a further object being to provide manually operable means for driving the flexible member, as by providing a manually operable crank, preferably in concentric alinement with the turning axis of the table structure, and transmission means for drivingly connecting the crank with the flexible table tilting member.

Another important object is to provide an improved table structure comprising a support frame, a top panel of X-ray transparent material, and improved means for securing the panel on the frame, including hollow, tubular sheet metal members of novel construction press fitted and thereby frictionally secured upon the opposite side edges of the top panel, and adapted to be detachably secured, at the opposite ends of the panel, on the panel mounting frame structure in fashion forming a panel supporting part of said structure, said tubular members serving to strengthen and rigidify the panel member, intermediate-the ends thereof.

Briefly stated, the objects of the present invention may be realized by means of a tilting table structure consisting of a frame fabricated of preferably sheet steel stampings, including spaced apart side members and end members preferably weldingly secured between the side members, and including an arcuately curved member enclosing the bottom of the frame at one end thereof, to thereby form the frame as a box of semi-cylindrical configuration at one end, said box providing for supporting the structure for rocking movement on a support base or pedestal about the axis of said semi-cylindrical portion. To this end, the support base may be formed with carrying and guiding rollers adapted for engagement in circularly curved tracks formed on the semi-cylindrical box portions of the frame, which portions may also form a guide track for a flexible driving chain, having opposite ends secured on the support base. The medial portions of the chain may be drivingly connected with geared transmission means carried on the table frame for travel- -curved member extending beneath and enclosing .the

:bottom of said frame, at one end thereof, and forming a frame portion adapted to rockably support the frame on :a base or pedestal.

Another important object is to .provide a table struc- "ture of the character mentioned, embodying a frame having a semi-cylindrical bottom portion providing for :rockingly supporting the table structure for tilting move- ;ment on a support base about an axis concentriewith respect to the semi-cylindrical portion; a further object Ebeing to rockingly mount said frame on support rollers disposed at the opposite sides of the frame and adapted ito rollingly engage cooperating arcuate track forming means; a further object being to mount said track;form Sing means upon the table frame at said semi-cylindrical portion and to secure the support rollers upon the support (base or pedestal.

Another important object is to provide a table structure of the character mentioned, comprising a frame tilt- .ingly mounted on a support base and provided with a support track for a flexible driving member, such as a ing the chain, with respect to the frame. Suitable motive means, such as a hand crank or an electric motor, may be mounted in the frame structure for driving the chain on its track, whereby to adjust the frame to any desired tilted angularity on the support base.

The support base may include an elongated portion preferably extending at one side of the table structure and forming a housing for a weight counterbalancing tension spring, the force of which may be applied upon the tiltable frame, as through a suitable connecting line, in order to counterbalance the weight of the table structure about the axis of its turning movement. The tiltable frame also provides improved means for demountably supporting a top table panel of X-ray transparent on one side of the structure between the top of the frame and the side edge of the supported panel. Longitudinally extending track means may also be provided in the frame structure, beneath the cassette carriage tracks, for the longitudinally adjustable mounting of conventional carriage means for supporting X-ray equipment on the table structure.

The foregoing and numerous other important objects, advantages and inherent functions of the invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a tilting structure embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified structure embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing component parts of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view through a component of the table structure.

To illustrate the invention, the drawings show an adjustable support structure 11 of a sort well suited for supporting human bodies, the structure being especially adapted for use in X-ray photography, fluoroscopy and therapy, since it is supported for adjustable tilting movement, and hence may be disposed at will either in horizontal position, or in any desired inclined position within the limits of table adjusting movement. In this connection, the table structure shown is tiltable, in at least one direction, through an angle of ninety degrees, or more, from horizontal position, so that the table may be disposed in vertical position, and in any angular position intermediate its horizontal and vertical positions. The table is also tiltable in the opposite direction to any desired inclination within a substantial angle, of the order of fifteen degrees or more, withrespect to the horizontal, in order to provide for fluoroscopy and radiographyin accordance with the so-called Trendelenberg technique. The table is preferably appreciably in excess of six feet in length, and is thus adapted to support a human body in reclining position thereon. The table structure, as will appear, is also well adapted for the support of devices, such as screens, diaphragms, cassettes, X-ray sources and equipment for the operation and control of such devices, which may be mounted in the table structure in any suitable, preferred or conventional fashion.

The table structure 11 may conveniently comprise a frame 12 carrying a panel 13 forming a table top, a support base or pedestal 14, and means for rockingly mounting the frame on the base for movement about a tilting axis, and driving meanslS preferably comprising a chain 16 forming a flexible driving member anchored, at its opposite ends, on the support base and. shiftably supported on suitable guide means mounted on the table frame 12. Motive means is provided for driving the chain 16, in order to travel or move the same, with respect to the frame 12, and thus cause the frame to tilt on and with respect to the support base, said motive means, when inactive, serving to hold the chain'against shifting movement, with respect to the frame 12, and thereby secure the frame in a selected position of adjustment on and with respect to the support base.

Theframe 12 preferably comprises a fabricated structure comprising inexpensive metal stampings of relatively simple configuration, which may conveniently .be formed by pressing preferably steel sheets insuit'able dies. The component parts of theframe 12 are perspectively illustrated in Fig. 4- of the drawings, the same including a pair of side members 17 and 18 extending longitudinally of the structure, an end member 19 adapted to extend between and to interfittingly receive and enclose the ends of the members 17 and 18 at one end of the structure, the end member being weldingly or otherwise firmly secured to the ends of the members 17 and 18, and a semicylindrically culved member 20 extending between and secured to the members 17 and 18 at the end of the frame structure remote from'theend member 19. The member 2t} serves to enclose the end and bottom of the frame 12, at one end thereof, and forms an outwardly and downwardly facing semi-cylindrical frame supporting portion.

The frame member 17 may comprise a sheet metal plate of generally rectangular configuration, having a straight upper edge 21, a preferably straight end edge 22 extending substantially at right angles to the edge 21, at one end of the member, :1 preferably straight bottom edge portion 23 making an angle of the order of one hundred degrees, more or less, with the end edge 22 and extending thence substantially to the medial portions of the member, and 'a semi-circularly curved edge 24 extending between the ends'of the edge 21 and of the edge portion 23 remote from the edge 22. .The edges 21, 23 and 24 of the member 17 are preferably formed with rigidifying flanges 21f, 23 and 24 extending at right angles with respect to the sheet material forming the body of the member 17, the flange 21 being preferably somewhat wider than the others. A marginal flange 24m extending at right angles with respect to the flange 24] and lying in aplane offset and parallel with respect to the'material forming the body of the member 17 is prefer'ably formed at and along the marginal edge of said flange 24f.

Theframe member 18 may comprise a sheet metal channel member having preferably straight upper and lower edges 25 and 26 respectively formed with rigidif ing flanges 25 and 26 As shown more particularly in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the flange 25] corresponds with and isof width equal to the flange 21 of the member 17. The flanges 21 and 25 preferably extend in a common plane when the parts 17 and 18 are secured in spaced frame forming position together with the spacing members 19 and 20. The flange 26f is preferably substantially wider than the flange 25 and a marginal strengthening flange 26m may be formed'at and along the terminal edge of said flange 26 The side member 18 may also embody an arouately curved member 27 which may comprise a sheet metal plate of segmental configuration having an outer semicircular edge 28 and an inner edge 29 having an arcuately curved edge portion 290 substantially concentric with respect to the outer edge 28, and a substantially straight edge portion 29s connecting the curved edge portion 29c with the outer circularly curved edge 28, at one end of the member 27. The member 27, at and along its outer and inner edges 28 and 29, is preferably formed with rigidifying flanges 28 and 29 which may meet, as at 30, at one end of the member, the flange 29 preferably terminating inwardly of the opposite end of the member, to thereby form said opposite end as a mounting portion 31 adapted to overlie upon and to be secured, as by welding or otherwise, to the web of the'channel member 25, at one end thereof. When the member 27 is thus secured upon the channel member 25 to form the frame member 18, the flange 28, at the mounting end 31 of the member 27, may overlie and be welded to and thus close the end of the channel member 25. The end of the flange 29f, at the mounting end of the member 27 may extend beneath and may be weldingly secured to the flange 26 of such channel member, to thereby rigidly interconnect and integrate the members 25 and 27. Alternately, of course, the frame member 18 may be formed by pressing the same from a single sheet of material.

A marginal flange 28m, extending at right angles with respect to the flange 28f-and' lying in a plane ohset and asonsoa parallel with respect to the material forming the body of the member 27, is preferably formed at and along the marginal edge of said flange 28 If desired, a vestigial marginal flange 29m may also be formed along the ter- 'minal edge of the flange 29 for the purpose of aiding rigidity in the member 27. As shown more particularly in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the flanges 28 and 28m respectively correspond with and have width equal to the flanges 24 and 24m. The flanges 24 and 28 also extend in a common circularly curved plane, when the parts 17 and 18 are secured in spaced frame forming position togeth er with the spacing members 19 and 20. The flanges 24m and 28m are configurated in accordance with the curved shape of the frame member 20 and hence are adapted to overlie upon and to be weldingly secured to the flanges 20] formed at and along the opposite curved edges of said member 20. Accordingly, the member 20 may be mounted in position extending between the circularly curved flange portions of said side members, and the parts may be integrally secured together, as by welding the flanges 24m and 28m to the spaced flanges 20 at the opposite sides of the member 20, as shown clearly at the bottom of Fig. 6. When so mounted and secured between the flanges 24m and 28m, the member 28' will present a straight edge 32 formed with an offset flange 327 in position extending transversely of the frame between the side members 17 and 25, upwardly of the flanges 21 and 25 of the side members 17 and 25, at the end of the frame remote from the end member 19. The opposite edge 33 of the member 20 may also be formed with a rigidifying flange 33 The end member 19 may comprise a sheet metal plate of generally rectangular, outwardly bowed configuration, havingmarginal flanges formed at its peripheral edges, opposed. end portions 34 and 35 of the plate being formed respectively to receive the ends of the side members 17 and 25, said end portions having marginal flanges 34 and 35 formed to enclose the ends of the members l7 and 25. The member 19 has a top portion 36 extending upwardly of the end portions 34 and 35 and formed with a marginal flange 36), whereby to provide a housing for enclosing a panel mounting channel member 37 sized to fit snugly within the housing formed by the marginally flanged top portion 34, above the members 17 and 25. The opposite ends of the panel mounting channel member 37 may rest upon and be secured to the ends of the sidemembers 17 and 25, within the end member 19.

The table top panel 13 may comprise a rectangular plate of relatively lightweight, thin gauge material, and means is provided for securing the panel at its opposite ends upon the frame 12 in position disposing the opposite side edges of the panel above and in parallel spaced relationship with respect to the flanges 21 and 25] forming the upper edges of the side members 17 and 25 of the frame, thereby defining a preferably elongated slotlike opening 38 at each of the opposite sides of the frame between the side edges of the panel and the top of the members 17 and 25. In order to strengthen and rigidify the panel 13, hollow formed sheet metal strengthening members 39 may be applied at and along the opposite unsupported side edges of the table top panel, between the frame supported ends thereof. These strengthening members 39 may each comprise a sheet metal strip bent to form a hollow tube, with the opposite side edges of the tube forming strip disposed and in spaced apart overlying relationship, thereby providing inner and outer panel edge gripping flanges 39] and 39 The terminal edge of the inner flange is sharp, as by leaving the edge unfinished as it comes from the cutting shear. As shown more particularly in Fig. 7, the corners are formed all at right angles, except the corner 39c diagonally opposite the opening defined between the flanges 39f and 39f, which corner 39c is of the order of three angular degrees greater than a' right angle. In applying the members 39 to thcedgQ of the panel, the corners 39d of each member may be squeezed together to reduce the corner 39c to a right angle, and thus draw the flanges 39,1 and 39f to-' gether into position to tightly grip and hold themselves in place upon the edges of the panel, by virtue of the inherent resilience of the strengthening member.

The panel mounting channel member 37 may have a bottom flange 40 adapted toextend between the ends of the members 17 and 25. The opposite ends of the flange 40 may be secured, as by welding or otherwise, to the flange portions 21fand 25). The channel member 37 may also be formed with a medial flange 41 adapted to extend in spaced parallel relationship beneath the flange 36 formed at the top of the frame member 19. At each of its opposite ends, the channel member 37 may be formed with a pair of offset lugs 42 extending in a common plane parallel with respect to and spaced beneath the top flange 41.

One end of thepanel may be supported upon the flange 41 beneath the top flange 36 of the end member 19, with the corresponding ends of the panel strengthening members 39 resting upon and secured to the oifset lugs 42, as by means of bolts extending through openings formed in the lugsand having threaded engagement with the ends of the members 39, to thereby.

32 at the end of the'arcuately curved frame member.

20, the corresponding ends of the panel strengthening members 39 being supported on brackets 43 which may be secured in the frame structure, at the sides of the frame member and opposite the ends of the flange 32 The brackets 43 may each comprise a formed sheet metal member having a pair of integrally connected plate portions 44 and 45 extending mutually at right angles, the one with respect to the other, the plate portions 44 of said brackets being adapted for attachment upon the ends of the flanges 20 of the frame memberZO, at the ends of the flange 32 of said member, thereby presenting the plate portions 45 of the bracket in position overlying the curved body portions of the member 20 adjacent the ends of the flange 32 the plate portions 45 of said brackets being each formed with a lug 46 extending below the flange 32 in position .to supportingly engage the end of the panel strengthening members 39. The ends of the strengthening members 39 may be secured to thelugs 46, as by means of bolts: extending in holes formed in the lugs and threadingly engaged with the ends of the members 39. A sheet metal strip 47 may be provided to cover the projecting end of the panel member 13 which overlies the flange 32 between the lug mounted ends of the members 39.

In order to tiltingly mount the table structure on the pedestal or base 14, the present invention provides. cooperating rollers and tracks on the frame and base.

As shown, a pair of semi-circular track forming chan The support base may comprise a casting 50 having an upstanding portion 51 providing support for a pair' of rollers 52 and 53 in position to extend supportingly' within the track forming channel member 48 on oneside of the table structure, said casting having a base portion 54 extending beneath the table structure from the upstanding portion 51 to the side of the frame re mote from the upstanding portion 51. The base portion 52 provides upstanding pedestals 55 and 55' carry-- ing rollers 56 and 56 beneath the frame member 20, in-

between the opposite curved edges thereof. The channel member 57 provides a roller engaging track which opens radially outwardly of the semi-cylindrical frame member 20. Means is also provided for mounting rollers 58 and 58' on the base at the side thereof remote from the upstanding base portion 51 in position to extend supportingly within the track member 49, preferably in coaxial alinement with the rollers 52 and 53. To this end, the support base may comprise an extension preferably in the form of an elongated tubular housing 59 secured to the casting 50 at the end thereof remote from the upstanding roller carrying portion 51 thereof, said housing carrying the rollers 58 and 58 in position extending in the track forming channel 49.

The curved track forming members 48 and 49 have sufficient length to permit the table to be supported on the rollers 52, 53 and 58, normally in the horizontal position shown in solid lines ,in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and to be depressed from such horizontal position, in one direction, through an angle of the order of fifteen degrees, or more, to the Trendelenberg position T shown in broken lines in Fig. 3, the table structure being also shiftable from horizontal position, in the opposite direction, to the vertical position V shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3; and, of course, to any relatively inclined position intermediate the limit positions T and V.

In order to drivingly shift the table structure between the limit positions T and 'V, the driving chain 16 may be shiftably supported on suitable guide means mounted in the frame structure, the opposite ends of the chain being anchored on the base 14, as on pins 60 mounted in a pin supporting bracket 61 secured on said base, as on a bracket mounting pedestal portion 62 preferably formed on the base adjacent the upstanding roller carrying portion 51. At and adjacent its base connected ends, the chain 16 maybe slidingly supported upon and outwardly of the semi-circularly curved panel member 20, as on correspondingly curved track forming means '63 secured to the outwardly facing surface of said frame member. As shown, the chain may comprise a double ply element embodying a pair of parallel chain sections '64, and the track forming means 63, accordingly, may comprise a pair of spaced bars, preferably of rectangular sectional configuration, secured to the outer surface of the frame member 20, as by welding or otherwise, in position each to form a track for slidingly receiving and supporting a corresponding one of the chain sections 64.

At the opposite ends of the bars which form the track means 63, the chain 16 may enter the housing or enclosure 'formed in the frame by the frame members 17, 20 and 27. The chain may enter the housing through openings forming chain ports in the member 20, and may be supported within said housing, as on chain guiding sprockets 65, including a sprocket mounted at each of said ports. The chain is supported on the sprockets in position to engage an adjustable chain tensioning sprocket '66, as Well as a chain driving sprocket 67. The guiding, tensioning and driving sprockets 65, 66 and 67 are suitably supported on corresponding shafts which, in turn, are mounted on a supporting frame 68, said support frame being preferably formed for detachable assembly in the structure 12. To this end, the frame 68 may comprise a channel member formed at the opposite ends thereof with mounting 'feet 69 adapted to bear upon the inwardly facing surfaceof the frame member 20, the frame 68 being secured'to said member 20, as by means of threaded fastening members 70'extending in openings formed in the member '20 and making threaded engagement in embossments formed on the frame 68. The frame 68 thus may extend chordallywith 'respectto the semi-circularly curved frame member 20 and thereby serve to brace and rigidi-fy the same.

The driving ,pinion 67 may bemounted on a shaft 67' journaled in the frame 68-and drivingly connected with a gear 71, said gear being supported in position for engagement with a driving pinion 72. Driving means, such as an electric motor 73, may be mounted on the frame 68 and drivingly connected with the pinion 721, as through reduction gear transmission means 74. Alternately, means may be provided for driving the chain manually,

as by means of a hand crank 75 extending outwardly of the frame member 17 and connected to turn a shaft disposed preferably in concentric alinement with the axis of curvature of the frame member 26, said shaft, in turn, being drivingly connected with the driving pinion 72 as through the reduction gear 74. By turning the crank 75 or by energizing the motor 73 for turning movement in one direction or the other, the chain 16 may be made to move with respect to the frame 12, in one direction or the other, on the supporting pulleys 65 and the chain supporting track means 63. Since the opposite ends of the chain are anchored on the base 14, such driven relative movement of the chain with respect to the frame 12 will move the same upon the support rollers 52, 53 and 58, and hence tilt the frame 12 about the axis of curvature of the roller supported tracks 48 and 49.

By stopping the driving movement of the motor 73 or the crank 75 when the table is in a desired relatively tilted position on the base, the table will be held in such position by the action of the sprockets 67 and 72 the gear 71 and the reduction gearing 74, which will serve as means for preventing tilting movement of the table structure on the support rollers 52, 53 and 58.

In order to discontinue operation of the driving motor 73 when the structure reaches the limit positions T and V, a pair of microswitches 76 may be mounted on the frame 68, adjacent the chain 16, in position to engage and to be operated by projecting fingers 77 mounted on the chain, which fingers, during the movement of the chain with respect to the frame structure, will reach switch actuating position respectively as the frame structure reaches the limit positions T and V, the switches 76 being controlling connected with the motor 73.

It will be seen that the tiltable structure 12 is not balanced about its axis of rotation, but that its center of gravity is located eccentrically of said axis, in position tending to rotate the structure in a counter-clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 3 of the drawings. In order to overcome such unbalanced condition, the present invention contemplates the provision of counterbalancing means for yieldingly urging the tiltable structure about its turning axis in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 3. To this end, as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the counterbalancing means preferably comprises an elongated tension spring 78 of helical configuration, which may be enclosed in thehousing provided by the elongated, hollow base component 59, the spring being adjustably secured at one end thereof on an anchor 79 formed on an end of the component 59. The spring may extend in the housing toward the opposite end thereof, a pulley 80 being secured to the anchor remote end of the spring. The tension of the counterbalancing spring 78 may be applied to the tiltable structure 11 by means of a cable 81 having one end anchored, as at 82, at the end of the base component 59 remote from the anchor 79, the opposite end of the cable being secured on the frame 12, as by'means of an anchor 83 fastened to the frame member 27. The cable 81 may extend from the anchor 82 around the spring connected pulley 80 and thence over a guide pulley 84 pivotally supported in the housing 59 adjacent the anchor 82. From the pulley 84, the cable 81 may pass outwardly of the housing 59, through an opening therein, and thence over a guide roller 85 mounted in a suitable support bracket carried on the housing 59, the cable 81 passing thence to the anchor83 around an elongated guide block 86 on the frame member 27.

Immediately beneath thepanel 13, the flange 21 and 25 may furnish Support for a cassette and diaphragmv carriage 87 provided with wheels, including grooved wheels 88 on one side of the carriage and adapted for rolling engagement on a track forming bar 89, secured on the flange 21 and rollers 90 mounted on the oppo site side of the carriage and adapted for rolling engagement with the flange 25 so that the carriage 87 may be shifted to any desired position longitudinally of the frame 12.

The frame may also provide support for an adjustable carriage frame 91, said frame being provided on one side with wheels 92 adapted to ride in a track 93 comprising a channel member secured, as by Welding or otherwise, upon the inner surface of the frame member 17 in position extending longitudinally from one end thereof to the other. The frame 91 may also be provided with rollers 94 and 95 respectively extending in corresponding tracks 94', 95 formed on the flange 26) of the frame member 25, whereby the carriage frame 91 may be shifted to any desired position Olf adjustment longitudinally of the frame 12. The carriage frame 91, in turn, may carry a sub-carriage 96 supported, as by suitable rollers: 97, on the frame 91, and roller engaging tracks 98 on the carriage 96, for movement on the frame 91 in a direction transversely of the table frame 12. The frame 96 may have a portion extending beneath and outwardly of the frame member 25 in position to carry an upstanding support structure 99 adapted to serve as a mounting for X- ray equipment, such as serialographic apparatus, of the sort disclosed in US. Letters Patent 2,552,858, which issued May 15, 1951, on the joint invention of Robert J. Mueller and Ivan Burgeson. The frame 96 may also form a laterally and longitudinally adjustable support for an X-ray source, as set forth in said US. Letters Patent.

The present invention is directed more particularly to the provision of a relatively lightweight, yet adequately rigid table structure that is adapted for exceedinglylow cost manufacture through the assembly of inexpensive pressed sheet metal frame components, the invention also pertaining to the provision of novel table tilting rnechanism comprising a flexible driving member, such as a chain, and chain driving means that is mounted upon and thereby forms a constituent part of the frame structure, such chain mounting and driving means embodying a mounting frame which, being attached in the lightweight sheet metal table frame structure, serves to brace and rigidify the same, thereby contributing to the required strength and rigidity of the structure, without corresponding increase in the overall weight thereof.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the forms herein disclosed being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A tilting table structure comprising means forming a generally rectangular support frame embodying spaced apart opposite side members providing upper edge portions and transverse members interconnecting and sup porting the side members in spaced relation, bracket means mounted on and at the opposite ends of said side members and presenting mounting seats above said upper edge portions thereof, a rectangular table top panel, and elon gated strengthening members secured at and along the opposite side edges of said panel, the opposite ends of said strengthening members being secured each in a corresponding one of said mounting seats, to thereby support the panel and said edge strengthening members in position spaced above the upper edge portions of a said side member.

2. A tilting table structure comprising means forming r 10 a generally rectangular support frame embodying spaced apart opposite sidemembers and transverse members interconnectiug and supporting the side members in spaced relation, means on said frame forming panel supports at the opposite ends of said frame, a rectangular table top panel mounted at its opposite ends on said supports, an hollow tubular edge strengthening members of formed sheet metal secured on and along the opposite side edges of said panel, the opposite ends of said strengthening members being connected with said supports, to thereby support the panel and said edge strengthening members in position spaced above the upper edge Olf a said side member.

3. A tilting table structure comprising pressed sheet metal plates formed with marginal flanges and including a pair of side plates and end plates extending between and secured to said side plates to form a generally rectangular support frame embodying spaced apart opposite side members and transverse members interconnecting and supporting the side members in spaced relation, a said side member having a circularly curved marginal edge and flanged means at said edge and forming a roller trackway for tiltingly mounting the frame on cooperating support rollers disposed in position to rollingly engage said trackway.

4. A tilting table structure comprising pressed sheet metal components assembled and rigidly secured together to form a generally rectangular support frame embodying spaced apart opposite side members and transverse members interconnecting and supporting the side members in spaced relation, means for tiltably mounting said frame on a support base, and a flexible driving member having spaced portions anchored on the support base and intermediate portions supported on the frame for shifting movement thereon, and means operable to drivingly shift the flexible member on said frame.

5. A tilting table structure comprising pressed sheet metal components assembled and rigidly secured together to form a generally rectangular support frame embodying spaced apart opposite side members and transverse mem bers interconnecting and supporting the side members in spaced relation, including an arcuatcly curved transverse member extending between said side members, means for rockably mounting the :frame on a support base, a flexible driving member having spaced apart portions anchored on said base and intermediate portions guidingly supported on said arcuately curved frame member, and driving means on said frame and drivingly connected with said flexible member between the spaced anchorexi portions thereof, said driving means being operable to shift said base anchored driving member on and with respect to said frame to thereby rockably move the frame on said support base.

6. A tilting table structure comprising pressed sheet metal plates assembled and rigidly secured together in position forming a generally rectangular support frame, including a pair of spaced apart plates forming side members, a plate arcuately curved about a center axis and forming a closure panel extending between and secured to said side plates at one end of the structure, a cover panel extending between and secured to said side plates at the end of the structure remote from said closure panel, and means for tiltably mounting said frame on a support base for rocking movement about said axis.

7. A tilting table structure as set forth in claim 6, wherein a said side member is formed with a flanged arcuate edge centered at said axis and forming a roller engaging trackway for engagement with support rollers on said base.

8. A tilting table structure as set forth in claim 6, Wherein said closure panel is formed with marginal flanges along its arcuately curved sides for rigidifying the panel and. for securing the same on said side members.

,9. A tilting table structure as set forth in claim 6, where,- in said closure panel is formed with marginal flanges! along its arcuately curved sides for rigidifying the panel and for securing the same on said side members, a flexible driving chain having spaced ends anchored on the support base and intermediate portions ridingly supported for movement on and along said arcuately curved panel for tilting the table structure on said base, and motor means supported in the table structure and drivingly connected with said chain to move the same on said panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Stirckler Mar. 9, 1920 Newman June 17, 1-941 Kautz Oct. 15, 1946' Norquist Oc't.'25, 1'949 Hollstein Apr. 18, 1950 Kizaur Oct. 24, 1950 Kizaur Feb. 4, 1958 

